A Relaxed, Vintage Inspired | New Year’s Eve: Real Wedding

Such a super, super lovely wedding to share with you all today ladies… and what makes this wedding even more fabulous is that the gorgeous couple married on New Year’s Eve!! Talk about the most ultimate party ever! Mr & Mrs S had a relaxed, vintage inspired wedding at the Brands Hatch Place Hotel… Over to our lovely couple who tell you all the inside deets about their big day.

We chose this venue (after visiting many other places!) because it had a homely, relaxed vibe. All of our guests could stay the evening – which meant we could celebrate all night and morning!

I chose my Justin Alexander dress because of the beautiful lace, and train design. I loved the whole style and comfort of the dress – plus it matched the vintage vibe I envisioned.

My headpiece was by Jenny Packham, the Acacia 1. Although it was a bit pricey (£270) I had not found anything as beautiful! It was worth every penny!

My accessories incorporated the old wives tale of “something old, something new”. My best friend gave me a beautiful diamond bracelet that had been passed down to her – her Grandmother used to call it her “cruise jewellery” – so had that vintage charm!

My mum also gave me a bracelet as a wedding present on the morning of the wedding – this was a plain bangle with a few diamonds moulded into it, it was just as beautiful!

Henry sorted out my transport, which was a surprise for both me (and my Dad!) when the huge Rolls Royce phantom pulled outside my house I was so shocked! Apparently it was the same car that Kate Moss had for her wedding too!  

All of the groom’s party wore their own suits, or purchased their own suits! Again, this was to celebrate people’s identity and allow everyone to feel relaxed and comfortable with what they were wearing! Henry’s suit and accessories were all Hugo Boss!

The bridesmaid dresses were from Coast and the design is called Irah. I loved the black and white classic colour combination – which was also suitable for a New Years Eve party! I loved the dress so much I bought myself the same one!

Our florist was an amazingly warm and friendly local freelance florist. Being completely knowledgeable about flowers, she was able to guide me through what flowers would be available in Winter, and supported me with my champagne bucket table theme. The most beautiful flower in my bouquet was the anemone, (the one that looks like a white poppy) the black centre looked amazing. Also, the plain gypsophilia bridesmaid bouquets were beautifully simple.

My Dad walked me down the aisle to an instrumental version of Coldplay’s “Yellow”, as we didn’t have a traditional religious ceremony… we left the room to The Beatles song 8 days a week.

Henry and I met 7 years ago and have been engaged for 4. Henry proposed at midnight on New years eve – which is why we chose to have our wedding on New Years eve too! We searched high and low for a venue, and when we found Brand’s Hatch all the years before and after 2012 were fully booked – which we took as a sign to book it and go for it! It was fate!

If I could impart any words of wisdom? Don’t sweat the small stuff – It is honestly the best day no matter what the weather is like or the unplanned events that will most probably happen. Not everything is in your control so just sit back and enjoy it, no matter what.   

Our wedding photographer was the lovely, lovely Rebecca Douglas! She’s the most amazing photographer, and more than we could have ever asked for! She completely “got us” from that first meeting and worked her magic without anyone feeling intruded. I love our photos and look at them almost every day!

I made a giant working clock with our names and date on (to go with the new years eve countdown) and we used champagne buckets for table centre pieces – all purchased via ebay!

We found it so difficult to think of what to provide for wedding favours; then thought of Belgium beers to get the party started! As there are so many different bottles we thought everyone would get a unique bottle- which added to the fun! All of the children either got a little nail varnish set, or a lego set.

Instead of a traditional guest book, we asked all of our guests to give us marriage advice or good wishes on little wooden hearts – some of the advice was questionable but a real giggle to look through after the big day!

Our wedding cake was from Marks and Spencer – £300 a real bargain.

One of our most memorable moments was  popping our two GIANT bottles of champagne! It was such a surprise to all our guests and so much fun!

For our first dance we had Paolo Nutini “10 out of 10” – we took ages thinking of a song to dance too as we don’t have “a song” together. We also knew that we did not want a traditional slow song either. We chose 10/10 because it was on the Jool’s Holland Hootenanny the New Year’s eve that Henry proposed – and pretty much ticked all the boxes.

We roped in Henry’s Brother and one of our good friends to play some trumpets for the into of the song, which just got everyone in a good, relaxed mood for the rest of the evening.

I think the feeling of being relaxed styled our day, from what the bridesmaids wore to the choice of venue. We wanted all of our guests to feel comfortable with the whole thing, which I think allowed people to really let their hair down and have fun.

 

Oh wow, wow, wow! What an amazing wedding and our lovely bride Lauren really does have great taste… if I do say so myself! I wore the JP headband and had anemones at my wedding! Such beautiful, beautiful images too from the fab Rebecca Douglas Photography and how incredible to have a New Year’s Eve wedding huh? Which are your favourite bits? Please do leave our couple some love.

 

WEDDING AWESOMENESS CREDITS >>>>>>>

Photographer: Rebecca Douglas

Venue: Brands Hatch Place Hotel

Brides…

Dress: Justin Alexander via Bell a’mour

Accessories: Jenny Packham

Shoes: I had two pairs (one for ceremony, one for dancing) Coast & Rainbow

Grooms…

Suit: Accessories: Shoes: Hugo Boss

Bridemaids…

Dresses: Coast   

Hair & Make-up: Kayleigh Hemphill

Florist: Mrs Bouquet

Cake: M & S

Music: Discologic

Transport: High Roller London

Catering: Brands Hatch Hotel

Rings: SWAG

 

 

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